ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The 100-yard interception return against the New England Patriots in the AFC divisional round game following the 2005 season is a play Champ Bailey said people still ask him about.
The Patriots were the defending Super Bowl champs, Bailey was coming off a eight-interception regular season and the touchdown that followed the interception one play later essentially closed the deal for the Broncos as they moved on to the AFC Championship Game.
“So, I can see why people talk about it with me," Bailey said this week.
Wednesday, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick recalled Bailey’s career. Bailey formally announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.
“Champ was great and unique in the fact he could match up with pretty much anybody -– fast guys, quick guys, big guys, physical receivers," Belichick said. “He had the skill set, anticipation and awareness to play inside in the slot and could play outside on the perimeter. Really a complete player that matched up well against pretty much whoever he covered."
Bailey had two career interceptions – one in the regular season to go with the one in the playoffs – against Belichick-coached teams.
